Wednesday, February 11, 2015

The Man in the Attic by Rebecca Cantrell


First Line: Jacob clutched the shooter in his left hand and ran through muddy streets.


It's 1940 in Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia, and Jacob's grandfather has repeatedly warned him of the danger surrounding their small village. But Jacob doesn't listen. When bullies try to take his prized marble from him, Jacob hides in his synagogue's attic. He feels safe from them there because he's remembered that the attic is forbidden territory, and when he opens a huge crate and finds a man made of clay, Jacob remembers something else. 

His grandfather has told him stories of an earthen defender of the Jews of Prague. Could this be the man of his grandfather's stories? If it is, then no one would dare take his marble or harm his village. All he has to do is speak one single word to bring the clay man to life. Should Jacob do it?

I've long heard good things about Rebecca Cantrell's writing, and when I saw that this digital short story was available I thought I'd go for a test drive. If I liked this story, then I'd make a point to read her books. What's the verdict? I'll be reading a Rebecca Cantrell novel in the near future.

This short story is so good that I wished there were more to it. Jacob is a very annoying little boy who seems to go out of his way to not pay attention to what he's been told. He's oblivious to the danger all around him. As far as Jacob is concerned, he's bulletproof. He is invincible. But the reader isn't oblivious. To the reader, the very atmosphere seems filled with dread.

Cantrell uses the Jewish legend of the golem not only to build suspense and foreboding, she uses it to provide a wonderful little twist at the end that I really enjoyed. Here's yet another example of a digital short story helping me find a new author to read!


"The Man in the Attic" by Rebecca Cantrell 
ASIN: B00JCSMT8W
Rebecca Cantrell © 2014
Digital short story, approximately 15 pages

Short Story
Rating: B+
Source: Purchased from Amazon. 


6 comments:

  1. Very glad to hear you liked this one, Cathy. I really like Cantrell's Hannah Vogel series. I'll be interested to see what you think of it if you try it.

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    1. See? I hear nothing but good of Cantrell's Vogel series. I must read it! LOL

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  2. I've really enjoyed Rebecca Cantrell's WWII books. Read the first in book club several years ago and it was a winner. I need to get back to them (she says over and over).

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    1. I think we're singing different verses of the same song, Kay!

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  3. Ooh, this sounds good. I hate that it's a short story, and I haven't even read it. It's just such a great premise.

    P.S. Read a Good Buy Girls book the other day and noticed the author mentioned you! So so cool!

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    1. There's something to be said for "leave 'em wanting more," but in certain cases-- like this one-- I wish I weren't quite so hungry! ;-)

      Yes, that dedication is so very cool-- especially since Jenn put me in the company of two fantastic bloggers. Definitely the highlight of my blogging career.

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